Accent lighting systems for vehicles

Abstract

An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An accent lighting system for a vehicle comprising:
 a light module configured for insertion into a cupholder in the vehicle, the light module including:
 a housing defining an internal chamber; 
 a first inductive coil located within the internal chamber; 
 a printed circuit board assembly including a plurality of light sources, the printed circuit board assembly being in electrical communication with the first inductive coil such that the first inductive coil delivers power to the plurality of light sources; 
 a diffuser extending along an outer perimeter of the housing and including one or more light-permeable materials so as to allow light emitted from the plurality of light sources to pass therethrough; and 
 a cover overlying the printed circuit board assembly; 
 
 a transmitter including a second inductive coil configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive coil such that the second inductive coil wirelessly delivers power to the first inductive coil, thereby obviating any need for penetrations in the cupholder to establish electrical communication between the transmitter and the light module so as to inhibit fluid leakage from the cupholder; and 
 a control module positioned between the transmitter and a power source in the vehicle such that power flows from the power source to the transmitter through the control module, whereby the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil create current in the light module via electromagnetic induction to thereby energize the plurality of light sources and illuminate the light module and the cupholder. 
 
     
     
       2. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a recess defining a shoulder configured to support the cover such that the diffuser is positioned radially outward thereof. 
     
     
       3. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources are secured to the printed circuit board assembly and are spaced radially inward from the diffuser to inhibit visual perception of the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       4. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive member positioned between the housing and the printed circuit board assembly. 
     
     
       5. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive member defines a receptacle configured to receive the first inductive coil such that the adhesive member inhibits relative movement between the housing, the first inductive coil, and the printed circuit board assembly. 
     
     
       6. An accent lighting system for a vehicle comprising:
 a console comprising a cupholder; 
 a light module configured for insertion into the cupholder, the light module including:
 a first inductive member; and 
 a diffuser extending along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module; and 
 
 a transmitter located externally of the cupholder and including a second inductive member configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module. 
 
     
     
       7. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 6 , wherein the light module is configured for insertion into a cupholder in the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 6 , wherein the light module includes at least one light source in electrical communication with the first inductive member. 
     
     
       9. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one light source includes an array of LEDs. 
     
     
       10. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a printed circuit board assembly in electrical communication with the first inductive member, the printed circuit board assembly including the at least one light source. 
     
     
       11. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 10 , wherein the printed circuit board assembly overlies the first inductive member. 
     
     
       12. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 10 , further comprising an adhesive member defining a receptacle configured to receive the first inductive member such that the first inductive member is positioned within the adhesive member. 
     
     
       13. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the adhesive member, the first inductive member, the printed circuit board assembly, and the at least one light source. 
     
     
       14. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive member is positioned between the housing and the printed circuit board assembly to inhibit relative movement between the housing, the first inductive member, the printed circuit board assembly, and the at least one light source. 
     
     
       15. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 13 , wherein the diffuser is a component of the housing. 
     
     
       16. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 15 , wherein the diffuser is formed integrally with the housing. 
     
     
       17. An accent lighting system for a vehicle comprising:
 a console comprising a cupholder; 
 a light module configured for insertion into the cupholder; 
 a transmitter located externally of the cupholder and configured for wireless communication with the light module such that the transmitter is locatable externally of the cupholder, wherein the light module and the transmitter each include an inductive member such that, upon receiving power from a power source in the vehicle, the transmitter creates current in the light module via electromagnetic induction to thereby power the light module and illuminate the cupholder; and 
 a control module in electrical communication with the transmitter and the power source such that power flows from the power source to the transmitter through the control module, the control module being configured to communicate signals to the light module via the transmitter to vary operation of the light module. 
 
     
     
       18. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 17 , wherein the light module includes a diffuser defining an outer contour corresponding to an inner contour of the cupholder. 
     
     
       19. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 18 , wherein the diffuser extends about a periphery of the light module. 
     
     
       20. The accent lighting system recited in  claim 18 , wherein the light module includes at least one light source positioned radially inward of the diffuser, the diffuser including a light-permeable material such that the diffuser collects and distributes light generated by the at least one light source.